Blow Out Sale!

just SLASHED prices on ready to ship items in my etsy store AND I am offering free shipping! Help me raise the $$$ to pay for my booth in 2 weeks!

here are just a few of the goodies!

What's for dinner tonight????

well...actually I made this last week but it was such a hit I wanted to share with everyone!



I substituted butternut squash for the acorn squash....MMMM MMMM good!

Find the recipe here.

Sharing some show goodies.....

I have been chaining myself to my sewing machines the past few weeks as I prepare to do my first show of the holiday season. I am participating in the Holiday Shoppes sponsored by the Junior League of Syracuse. The show details can be found here.

I am very excited but a bit unsure of what to expect. I thought I would share a few of the goodies I have finished for the show...







I just love to photograph my daughter and her friend...trying to capture those glimpses of sweet innocence and childlike delight in the littlest things....

Zooommmmm......

or why we almost miss the bus most mornings......

My youngest is an inventor, designer, creator, builder, architect, engineer, master of his own dreams..... also a bit obsessive! Yesterday & today became a mad dash for the bus as he was focused on making airplanes from popsicle sticks, gum wrappers and paperclips!






It is amazing to watch him in action...you can almost see the wheels turning....I hope he never loses this passion

special order...........

I love it when someone contacts me with a special request .... at the end of the summer a very sweet bride to be saw a dress I had made that was posted on Jennifer Paganelli's blog. She was planning on using one of Jennifer's fabrics...casey gold scroll .... at her reception & contacted me to see if I could make a dress for a 6 year old and a skirt set for an 11 year old that would incorporate this fabric. I was delighted at the opportunity and set to work.

I wanted to share the results with all of you! Fortunately my daughter is a beanpole and was able to model BOTH sizes for me!











the patterns for the skirt and dress were from farbenmix - the INSA skirt and from Studio Tantrum - the FELIZ dress...I love the versatility of both of these patterns and the fact that the style is appropriate for a wide range of ages.

Well...the bride received the package and her response is one of the reasons I love doing what I do....

"Kristen!
Received the dress, skirt, and top today and they are GORGEOUS-!what a great mix of fabrics and colors, and so fitting to the girls' personalities. You have outdone yourself and far exceeded my expectations. Ella tried her dress on immediately and it looks amazing, and I know Hannah will adore hers too when she gets into town next week. I will definitely send pictures and talk up your name to everyone I know. Thank you, thank you!!!!"

thank you Nancy for letting me be a small part of your beautiful day!

Mmmmmm....

my folks are having a big bash this afternoon & I have volunteered to bring one of my favorite side salads....I am not a fan of potatoes but I LOVE yams & sweet potatoes and I love Martha Stewart's magazine...EVERYDAY FOOD. This is a delicious twist on a potato salad...



find the recipe here

some DIY tips.....

while catching up on all of the blogs I subscribe to I came across this list from contrariwise ramblings that gave me a good chuckle so I thought I would share...

1. If you’re choking on an ice cube, simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. presto! the blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold the vegetables while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the females about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers ~ simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure on your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. then you’ll be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - wd-40 and duct tape. if it doesn’t move and should, use the wd-40. if it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.

8. Remember - everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

9. If you can’t fix it with a hammer, you’ve got an electrical problem.

Something new on etsy....and some customer cuties!

I decided it was time for a new skirt design so after scouring my magazines & patterns for inspiration I am pleased to offer the Autumn Spice Collection....




I also thought it was time to share some more customer cutie photos! I LOVE to see the girls in their gock's frocks so if you have any photos you've taken...email me!

Pop Garden!

I LOVE the latest line from Heather Bailey at Freespirit - the colors are so vibrant, refreshing palate, fabulous designs....I set out to create a design that would work for girls of all ages - I was inspired to try some pintucks after following my friend Geeta's blog aptly named Pintuck!

Be sure to POP over to ebay and check it out!

gock's frocks fall SALE on etsy!

Time for Fall Cleaning! I have just listed a number of one of a kind - ready to ship fall inspired items in my etsy shop! Find savings of up to 20% off!

gock's frocks on etsy

and with the cooler weather I have pulled out my felted wool and am pleased to offer my first - one of a kind - wearable art felted wool ballet wrap cardigan!


and for Halloween.....

Get your daily dose of Fiber!




Last weekend I headed south with the 3 kids to the local fiber festival - a long awaited adventure for all of the senses! It was a gorgeous day filled with fiber fun!
We figured out Leo's drop spindle,but still need to work on our drafting.... picked up some roving for everyone & added a couple more spindles to our collection.




Eily (wearing her fabulous new set from Dayna of My*Unbirthday)had a chance to work on her weaving a bit while Leo held the most gorgeous angora bunny...he almost had me convinced we needed to add it to our menagerie at home but then I came to my senses!







the colors and textures were intoxicating, inspiring and the perfect way to spend a fall day! Be sure you get your daily dose of fiber!

whew...what a week it has been....the first germs of the new school year hit our house & the kids and hubby have been knocked out with nasty colds.

I spent the week in the dungeon preparing for a launch on ebay with my design group - The Clovergirls. We have all created items around the theme of the musical Wicked...and the Wizard of Oz. It was alot of fun & the first time I have taken more of a risk with my designs and created a costume fit for a visit to the Emerald City! Be sure to pop in a take a peek at all of the amazing items offered!

Wicked offerings on ebay

We're off to see the Wizard...........

or we will be soon.

Yesterday Eily, Leo & I snuck out to do a photoshoot for an ebay launch happening later this week. Leo pleaded to model but as I had no headscarf to cover up the buzz cut he was relegated to serving as the photographers assistant. He even brought his own kids digital camera to take his own shots!

I thought I would share some of our fun with you!
Leo helping with my camera bag...




Eily realizes she has landed on the witch!





Leo wants to get in on the fun too.....love the expression on his face!





then, he gets a better idea....

First day of School.......

the kids started back this week & for the first time in 11 years I am without a child to care for the better part of my day....a little hard to wrap my mind around...summer flew by & we had so much fun together it was hard to see them get on the bus this week. But their smiles and stories when they tumbled down the bus steps at the end of the day eased some of the sense of loss....and makes me treasure each moment with them even more.

enough of my dithering... here are their happy faces on the 1st day!

Farmers Market Collection.............Fall 2008 from gock's frocks







I am in love with Sandi Henderson's latest collection for Michael Miller. I have designed 8 skirts using her delicious fabrics...pair them with one of my custom applique tees and you will be set for back to school festivities!











find these goodies on ebay or etsy!